Positive Contact is the second batch of the Imperial Belgian-Style Wheat beer that Sam and Ben brewed a couple months back. For this batch, we stepped up the spice and cider additions. Instead of 200 lbs of apples, Ben pressed 300 lbs of organic Fuji apples for a total addition of 25 gallons of fresh pressed cider, which was added to the whirlpool in order to really bring out the cider character. The amount of cilantro was nearly quadrupled with 4 lbs total, which was pureed with a portion of the cider and then added after the boil was done. The cayenne was doubled, but added directly before the beer was transferred from the kettle to the fermenter in an effort to minimize the burn while increasing the flavor and aroma contributed. A different type of wit yeast was used and then fermented slightly cooler to keep the yeast character minimal and act as a supporting role to the main players the cider and spices. Lastly, this batch was boiled for less time than the original batch, leaving the beer with a lighter straw color than the amberish hue of batch #1.

Overall, Positive Contact is characterized by its bright spritzy cider character and autumnal herbal quality derived from the cilantro, cayenne, and yeast.

Poured from a room-temp 750 that was about a year old - the top flew off.Deep amber/honey color. Thin head that fades lacey. Definite smell/taste of wit yeast and fuji. The cayanne presents itself after a few sips, sitting on the tongue and fading away in the throat. The 9% ABV likely helps this. Cilantro was the last note I discerned, as a distinct vegetal tone in the glass as I took a sip, and fading quickly on the palate as the fuji taste took over.Overall, worth trying!

Apple cider in the nose and not much else. Some band-aid like Belgian yeast maybe. Lots of sweet apple cider on the tongue as well, that's all there was up front. The finish was odd. Plastic-y yeast and some hints of what could be called cilantro;no cayenne pepper to be found.

This is the biggest waste of money I think I've made yet on beer. NONE of the Flavors promised on the label are in this beers taste, aroma maybe, but it tastes like a sweetened, weak Duvel. NOT WORTH THE MONEY! WOULD GIVE A ZERO IF I COULD!

"Ale brewed witrh apple cider and spices. A positive combination of Fuju cider, slow roasted farro, a bit of cayenne and fresh cilantro." Brewed in the style of an Belgian Golden Strong Ale. Available in a 750 ml. bottle and on limited draft.

Poured from a 750 ml. bottle to a Dogfish Head Signature glass. Served above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a crisp, foamy golden white head over a medium hazy medium amber body with plentiful flecked sediment in tow. Retention is average, lacing is light and streaked. 3.5

(Smell) The notes of cider are very straightforward, and joined by a curious blend of spices, lends a soft curious twist to the more predictable notes of this beer. Soft wheat and pale biscuit malts with a touch of coriander, peppery and earthy yeast character, mild fruitiness, moderately juicy. Potency is medium/high, effervescent and perfumey. 3.75

(Taste) The flavor is very similar to the aroma, with soft notes of apple cider and pale malt combining with a potent blend of earthy and effervescent spices. Somewhat saison-like for the strong fruity yeast-borne flavors meets a Belgian strong ale for the depth of body and alcohol. Cilantro surprisingly does not come through in the flavor, although Coriander seems a more predictable addition, I suspect the two share similar flavor qualities. I could notice the potential for cayenne contributing to the depth of pepperiness of the beer. Finishes moderately dry. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Texture is mildly sticky, juicy and moderately dry. Carbonation is modest, generating a moderate frothiness to a very mild crispness. Body is medium+ for the style, medium/heavy overall. Balance is spicy and earthy dry over sweet. Alcohol presence is mild, there are no off characters to note. 3.5

(Overall) A very curious blending of ingredients into a beer isn't hardly anything out of the ordinary for Dogfish Head, although the flavors they impart into this beer come through as relatively transparent compared to what one should expect from the style by itself. Thus, the cidery and spicy notes are all fairly par for the course, which places this beer as enjoyable but not phenomenal. 3.5